John Isner explains why Coco Gauff could be the player to beat in New York

Saturday, 29 August 2026 at 06:30

Coco Gauff holds the 2026 Cincinnati Open trophy.

John Isner has backed Coco Gauff to win the US Open, despite Aryna Sabalenka entering Flushing Meadows as the defending champion and the betting favourite. The former American No. 1 believes Gauff has arrived in New York in a completely different state to 12 months ago, when doubts over her serve and confidence threatened to derail her title hopes.

Gauff has since rebuilt both parts of her game. The American won the Cincinnati Open last week, defeating Jessica Pegula in the final, and arrives at her home Grand Slam with considerably more momentum than she had before her breakthrough 2023 US Open triumph.

The contrast with last year's tournament is particularly significant. Gauff struggled with her serve during the summer hard-court swing but managed to survive two extremely demanding opening rounds in New York before eventually going all the way to the title. Her current form has made her one of the leading contenders again, with Sabalenka standing as the player she must ultimately overcome.

Sabalenka remains a formidable obstacle. The Belarusian has won the US Open in each of the last two editions and is chasing a third consecutive title, while also defending the 2,000 ranking points she earned last year. But with Gauff arriving after another major hard-court title, Isner believes the American has done enough to change the equation.

Isner explains why Gauff is now his US Open favourite

Speaking about the women's draw, Isner pointed to the difference between Gauff's mindset last year and the confidence she carries into the 2026 tournament.

“I really believe Coco is the favorite," Isner said in Nothing Major podcast. "I think Sabalenka is the favorite of the sportsbooks, but last year Coco came to the US Open with little confidence and a lot of problems with her serve. All of that seems to be behind her.”

Aryna Sabalenka clenches her fist after winning a point at the Canadian Open in Toronto.

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates after a point during the Women’s Singles round of 64 match against Moyuka Uchijima of Japan on day 4 of the WTA Masters 1000 National Bank Open

The former Wimbledon semifinalist also highlighted the difficulty of Gauff's opening rounds last year, suggesting that surviving those matches played an important role in the eventual champion's run.

“Her first and second-round matches last year in New York were some of the most intense matches you could possibly imagine. She comes into this tournament with much more confidence, so for me, Coco Gauff is the favorite.”

That confidence is backed by results. Gauff has now added another WTA 1000 title to her résumé in Cincinnati, while her serve has become considerably less vulnerable than it was during the 2025 North American swing.

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Sabalenka, however, remains the benchmark in New York. She has won 14 consecutive matches at the US Open and has reached at least the semifinal in each of her last five appearances. The world No. 1 also owns a 4-3 head-to-head record against Gauff, although Gauff won their most recent Grand Slam meeting at Roland Garros in 2025.

The potential battle between the two therefore carries more than the usual defending-champion storyline. Sabalenka is trying to make history with a third straight US Open title, while Gauff is attempting to turn the confidence of her Cincinnati triumph into another run at the Grand Slam where she first became a major champion.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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